Happy Thanksgiving!

In my “journey of life” with all my travels I have met amazing people who I now call friends.  I feel very blessed and lucky to have been a part of your lives--both family and friends and together we will continue this “journey of life.”

Moonrise over my cottage.

The hill that came down months ago in Hanalei.  Traffic has resumed, BUT it's still scary to see it!  Mother Nature definitely rules on the island.

Off of Poipu at the cliffs.  I hardly ever see boats so this was a treat.

This "house" is on the bike path that I walk all the time right at the ocean.  You wonder what is the story?  Like those abandon villas in Tuscany.

Another great dessert at Gaylord's looking out at the beautiful gardens. 

I had been trying to get photos of the sea turtles, but with no luck so I zoomed in on these relatives at the Hyatt.  But see next....

Aha! Finally...not bad!

Fit Lok center at Princeville for Kupuna sponsored by Rotary Club.  Kupuna means elder, grandparent.

The famous Spouting Horn.

Sunset over Hanalei with Bali Hai:)  

Friends are special:)  Lorraine and I having a great meal at Postcards in Hanalei:)

 

Enjoying the Island Life

 It's easy to get into the "island life" as my skins turns brown hoping that I'm covering all areas with sunblock 50!!!  For a road warrior it can sometimes be difficult because there's only so far you can go on a small island LOL

I've been writing and working on short stories both fiction and nonfiction and have submitted a few hoping to get published.  I'll keep you posted.

Enjoy the photos:)

Old Koloa Sugar Mill--no longer operating, but a beautiful sight.  When I first came to the islands, sugar was supreme.  Times have changed.

Birthday celebration at Tidepools at the Hyatt in Poipu.

Awesome North Shore

My good friend, Debbie with me at the Hanapepe Bridge.  Fun day:)

No they're not in Kauai.  The newest addition to the family, Stevie with her brother, Bodhi who they call, The Baby Whisperer:)

Crazy fish looking for food!

Just another waterfall....

Hanalei Bay Rotary.  They do amazing work for the community:)

So the sun doesn't always shine!  But still a beautiful view of Nawiliwili Harbor where I believe part of Jurassic Park was filmed during the Iniki Hurricane.

It Isn't Just About Having a Mai Tai

Well, it certainly can be fun to have those Mai Tais, but I'm also discovering and rediscovering Hawaii...learning and relearning about the people and their culture.

The Hawaiians are a lot like the Mongolians and the Cambodians in that family is very important and respect for the older folks.

You'll see from my photos that I've been very busy exploring and getting reacquainted.  But also, took a very fun day and "got out of Dodge" as they say.

I belong to a book club and we just finished reading, The Hidden Life of Trees.  For our field trip yesterday on Sunday we spent time in the Sacred Rudraksha Forest way up the mountainside.  I have been to many forests throughout the world, but I have never hugged a tree and well, see below.

It was a very moving experience and I must say I felt the energy from the tree.  After all, they are alive as we are.

 

Close by is the Hindu Monastery which I plan to visit, but need reservations due to Covid.

On a lighter note I watched these young people jump off this bridge with seemingly no fear.  I was in awe!

Beautiful church at Kilauea (North Shore) made from volcanic rock.

This is the Kauai Museum downtown Lihue.  Also, made from volcanic rock.  It's huge inside.  I was very impressed with the presentation of all of the Hawaiian history.  I'll be making several visits.

Life is not complete unless you see a double rainbow in Hanalei.  It was very early in the morning and of course, the convoy is still going on!

And of course, the same goes for seeing a waterfall.  Close and....

....even closer!

And if you're real lucky maybe you'll see Pierce Brosnan at his home behind these beautiful plants!  I know I'm cheesy!!!

And even more waterfalls in beautiful Hanalei:)   

Hey, I actually got my big camera out to take this photo!

Spectacular Waimea Canyon known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.  I was lucky to have this kind of day!

Gaylord's in Lihue where I had a fabulous lunch with good friends right there on the back patio.  It's worth reading the history about this place as it was all about sugar.  Gaylord Wilcox built this 16,000sq.ft. house for family and friends.  I thought of Hearst. 

Well, for some of you who think I can't find a Nordstrom where ever I am...well....I took a 25 minute flight from Kauai to Oahu for the day and shopped and then....

....had lunch overlooking the Pacific at Neiman Marcus.  Well, it is almost my birthday LOL

 

I'll leave you with this beautiful sunset at Princeville on the North Shore.

A Hui Hou Makou

Hanalei and Other Special Places of Kauai

In the last few years the beautiful island of Kauai has seen its fair share of tragedy and not just Covid.  100 year type flooding in the North Shore (Hanalei) where people were stranded and couldn't get in or out.  Eventually, they used all types of boats and even helicopters to transport people and supplies.  And then this March a massive slide came slithering down the hillside right before the famous Hanalei Bridge.  Cut off again...but they never gave up on the North Shore!!!

So, for the last month or so, during the week they have convoys leading cars in and out...you can wait in line for well over an hour.  Except for Sunday and they do it a little differently because they're not "working" on the slide.  So, "Aha!" I said and that's when I went this last Sunday.  I tried to get photos of the slide, but I was too busy driving and trying NOT to look down--it's rather scary especially if you have vertigo!!!

But I made it and now you can enjoy a few photos.  Note:  I'll be back!!!

I'm at Princeville and as I got in line to go "through" the slide, the line started to move!!!  The exact same thing happened as I was leaving Hanalei!!!

 

One of many one lane bridges.  Years ago I drove this alone, late at night in total darkness with rain, but I made it to my favorite resort which is the next few photos.

Hanalei Colony Resort...almost at the end of the road....

 I'll be back.

 

Another moon shot from my cottage.

What's that song about Jeremiah and the bullfrog?  If I'm out at night, this guy is always on the steps and he doesn't move.  He just gives you the eye and dares you!!!

Prosecco at the Hyatt in Poipu

More Hyatt

What's the Japanese Coast Guard doing in Hawaiian waters?

Enjoying Hanapepe with Lorraine and another bridge???

Lorraine lives in the back of my favorite cottage along the bike path.  And there's my car with new Hawaii plates:)

Leaving you with another beautiful tree...

A Hui Hou Makou